25 April, 2017

Chia seed pudding with plum compote. VG

Remember the saying ” Don’t judge a book by its cover?” It can’t be more true than in case of Chia seeds. Who knew that these innocuous looking seeds were a powerhouse of nutrients ? No wonder they are being called “Superfood”.

Native to Mexico and Guatemala, these seeds are from the plant Salvia Hispanica belonging to the mint family. It was a staple food of the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. In fact the word Chia means ‘strength’ in Mayan language. Legend has it that the ancient Aztec warriors had a ritual of eating a spoonful of chia seed before a battle. Being satiated the whole day with added energy was definitely an advantage.

High in protein, fibre, Omega3 fatty acids, they are rich in antioxidants too.

As if these were not enough, they are fun to cook with. A bit of preparation the evening before, you have breakfast ready in the morning. I love them in Mason jars with lids, excellent to carry as a midday snack.

Recipe:

Ingredients;

Chia seeds 1/4 cup

Coconut milk 3/4 cup

Maple syrup 1/2 Tbsp

Vanilla extract 1/2 tsp

Raspberries a handful

For the Compote:

Frozen plums deseeded 1/2 cup

Coconut milk 1/2 cup

frozen banana 1

Method;

Mix the Chia seeds and the coconut milk in a glass jar. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Close the lid and keep aside for a couple hours, or overnight.